Cleaning off a Goopy Mess

[Jaded]

Was jamming outside on a muggy day and either the heat or some unknown factor caused the white stuff on a printed t-shirt I was wearing to sort of melt and come off on the back of my mandolin.

Using my normal cleaning stuff I was able to get most of the goop off, but it left behind residue that looks similar to the kind of goop that very sticky tape (like duct tape and such) leaves on a surface when you pull it off.

The mandolin has some kind of laquer finish. It's a Ratliff, if that helps anyone with tips.

Looking for ideas on how to get the rest of this gunk off without damaging the finish.

[mmukav]

I would try a lemon oil based furniture cleaner. Pretty benign stuff, and it should get that residue off. Then maybe some naphtha to clean that off, then polish with a good instrument polish. Any other thoughts? (I think you could use Goo Gone also)

[Luthier Vandross]

Is this really something on the finish, or is it possibly something that needs buffed out.

On certain finishes, some kinds of tape adhesive actually solve, and hence leave a roughly marred surface. Maybe that graphic contains a bit of the same stuff?

In that case, it usually requires a certain amount of wetsanding.. by someone being very careful.


M

[Michael Lewis]

Call the maker and ask what the finish is, then you will know what solvent to use. Or at least what to touch the area up with after the "goo" is rmoved.

[Dolamon]

One of the most benign ways to clean off garbage from instruments is to use - olive oil. This has a very light emollient level, can be put on with a finger tip and buffed out with a piece of clean flannel. It will smell great when you take it out of the case, espcially if you age garlic in your pick box.

The problem ... the mandolin will now sound best when playing Cara mi Bambino and Santa Lucia.

[Scotti Adams]

..you gotta get a Tone-Gard..it will keep things like this from happening...hope things work out well for you..

[Chris Baird]

Napatha will take that sticky stuff off but it may haze the lacquer a little: but it can easily be reshined with some instrument polish.